Expander



April 9, 1929. w. H. KLOCKE 1,703,673

EXPANDER Filed Jan. 3;, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l Illl llllllllllllllllll April 9, 1929. w. H. KLocKE EXPANDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 31, 1927 wa w ' veyors with capacity series of lazy-tongs,

sion' of said lazy-tongs, and sheet' metal gripp ng devices carried by respective lazy tongs n position to register and grip a sneet and cause its expansion under the actionof I the laz -tongs,

2. In-asheet metal expanding device the combination of apair of conveyors-means for causing said conveyors to move in parallel paths for a portion of their travel, a the central pivot points on the respective confor lateral I movement, means located at registering pivot points on of which are mounted opposedlazy-tongs for gripping ,asheet, and

means ,for effecting an openingmovementof the"lazy-tongs with the forward travel ofp the conveyors.

3. Ina sheet metalexpanding device the combinat onof a-pair of endlessconveyors mounted for travel with a .portionof, their paths in parallelism,-a series of lazy-tongs carried by the conveyors,a-stationary cam track adapted to control ment of the lazy-tongs,

devices carriedat the pivot points on the the opening moveand sheet gripping 'lazy tongs.

' pivot points- I pointson opposed lazy-tongs combination of a pairv of conveyor 4. In an expander for sheet metal, the

cai'riers'on said chains, a seriesof lazy-tongs supported by the carriers, a cam track adapted to control the openingmovement of the lazy-tongs, carried by upper and lower conveyors being in parallel paths for a portion of their travel, and grippingdevices carried at the on the lazystongs, the pivot being adapted to register and grip a sheet therebetween.

5. In a device for expanding sheet metal,

-.the combination of a pair of upper and zlower conveyor chains mounted in adaj cent rrelation a series of lazy-tongs carried by the conveyors,registering sheet gripping devices i carried by the lazy-tongs of the upper and lower conveyors, and stationary cam tracks adapted to control the opening movement of the lazy-tongs.

. 6. In an expanding device for sheet metal,

vthe combination of ,a pair of endless conveyors, means for causing portions of said conveyors to travel inparallel planes, means carried by the respective conveyors for gripping asheet at a plurality of points and link means at the. sheet gripping points for effecting progresbetween its edges,

sivelateral separation of the grnpping means 7 :toeffect the expanding action on the sheet. 7

7 In a sheet metalexpanding device, the

' combination of a pair of endless conveyors,

carriers supported thereby, means for causing the carriers on the respective conveyors 'to travel .in parallel planes throughout a portion of the movement of said carriers, gripping devices mounted on respective opposed carriers and arranged to grip the parallel planes; and

fmounted on the ;respective chains, 7

the travel of-the'lazy-tongs the combination of ,necting the gripping devices,

sheet at a plurality of points between its edges,-and means for progressively laterally .IllOVlllg said gripping devices 12th the point v of contact With said sheet, coincidentally with the forward movement of the conveyors forlaterally spreading a sheet'held by said gripping means. 4

8. In a sheet metal expander, the combination of a pair of adjacent endless conveyors, means for causing the travel of adjacent portions of said conveyors inparallel lines, carriers mounted on said'conveyors, gripping devices, mounted on said CZLI'IlGTS? with capacity for lateral sliding vmovement, imeans associated with said gripping devices for engaging andholdinga sheet of metal during the period} of travel --0fthe conveyors in link means connected to said gripping devices for effecting progres sive lateral separation of the gripping devices :and consequent spreading of the 1 sheet ihel'd thereby.

9 In. a sheet metal expander, the combination of a pair of endless conveyors, caririers .mountel thereon, gripping devices carriers, cam tracks, and link means connected to the gripping devices-and operated by said cam tracks for progressively effecting lateral separation ofthe gripping devicesand the spreadingof the :Hlfitfil gripped thereby.

'10. In a sheet metal expanding machine, two ;pairs of endless chains, shafts connecting the chainsiof each pair, conveyors mounted on the shafts, said conveyors .having longitudinal guideways, a cam track, link mechanismoperatively connected to -said track, and gripping devices :at the pivot points of i said .link zmechanisin cooperating with said guideWays, the gripping devices on respective carriers being adapted toycooperate to grip and hold a sheet and to separate the saineby action of T the link mechanism.

'. to spreadthe-sheet.

12. Ina sheet metal-expander,the combination of a'pairof endless conveyors, mounted for travel in parallel planes, carriers mounted on the conveyors, sheet engaging grippers mounted on the carriers with capacity forlateral sli ling movement, links conand .a .cam track for controlling the movement of the link mechanism to effect progressive lateral separation of the gripping devices simultaneously with th forward travel of the conveyors.

13. In a sheet metal expander, the combination of a pair of endless conveyors, mounted for travel in parallel lines, carriers mounted on the conveyors, sheet engaging grippers, mounted on the carriers with capacity for lateral sliding movement, links connecting the gripping devices, means for restricting the opening movement of the links, and a cam track for controlling the movement of the link mechanism to effect progressive lateral separation of the gripping devices simultaneously with the forward travel of the conveyors.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

WVILLIAM H. KLOOKE. 

